PLAYER PROFILE

ANDRE' BARFIELD

TDMB:  Whaz up Barfield?
SM24: What it dew TD4?

TDMB:  Are U married?
SM24:  Nope.  I don't care what you heard...lol...I AM SINGLE AND LOVING IT !!!

TDMB:  Do U have any kids?
SM24:  Unfortunately...that would be NO. 

TDMB:  Do U plan on getting marry again?
SM24:  I never say never...I just say "it's likely that I will consider doing what I claim I will never do under the right circumstances"...lmao.

TDMB:  So U are a P. V. Panther?
SM24:  Yes Sirrrrrr....Panther Family 4 Life!!!

TDMB:  I hear that U were a pretty good baseball player?
SM24:  I'll let others be the judge of that....lol.  I like to think that I held my own with some very talented teammates. 

TDMB:  Swingman is an interesting nick name, how did U get it?
SM24:  Well, I have always been a Ken Griffey Jr. fan and I could always be seen wearing Griffey Gear (which had "swingman" on it) or Jordan gear when I played.  I believe it was Rob Williams who took a picture of me swinging while I was playing in a tournament a few years ago and his comment to me was "that was a perfect "swing" man...lol.  It just kinda took a life of it's own after that. 

TDMB:  How long have U been playing Softball?  
SM24: I actually started playing back in high school with my father on his company softball team (The Black Stars).  After college I moved to Austin, Texas and was asked by one of my co-workers to play on his softball team.  It seemed like a natural transition after college baseball...but I had a hard time hitting that slow pitch when I first started...lol.

 

TDMB:  What teams have U played for?
SM24: My first actual tournament team was a Law Enforcement Team I played on called "Houston Five-O".  I've also played on "The Red Machine", Houston Titans, TRS, and now SWINGMAN 24 SPORTS.

TDMB:  What made U start up your own team?
SM24:  Well for years I played with others and it was all good but the teams always broke up because the players jumped from team to team or were not committed to the team I was on.  On those teams, it always seemed like I had a lot of the responsibility but no real say so.  There were a lot egos and drama involved.  I just wanted to create an atmosphere that was what the true meaning of the game should be...competition and family.  So I got with the orginal guys from a league team we had called "THE SWINGMEN" and I started "SWINGMAN 24 SPORTS".  

TDMB:  Your team has always been one of the best dressed teams, but this year they look like one of the best teams, what do U attribute that to?
SM24:  Thanks for the compliment...lol.  I attribute our early success totally to chemistry and a "team first" attitude.  I have tried to surround myself with guys who actually like each other and like playing together.  Sure we have our spats (lol) like other teams but the guys on SM24 are more than players on a team...we are teammates and brothers.  We truly care about each other and I try to convey to each of them that they are on the team because each of them brings an important element to the team.

TDMB:  What are your goals and expectations for Swingman 24 Sports?
SM24: That's simple...(1) we will compete every weekend regardless of who is there, (2) we will respect the game, (3) we will win or lose with class and (4) we will have fun playing with each other for as long as we can.

TDMB:  What do U enjoy about playing on the Black Circuit?
SM24: I really enjoy the competition and the overall fun atmosphere.  In recent years I've really been paying more attention to the women's division because I believe they demonstrate the true essence of softball.  The women always put on a good show.  The men sometimes get caught up in showboating and arguing which is a turn off for me.  I'm a purest when it comes to ball.  See the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball and throw it.  That's what the women do and they do it well !!!!

TDMB:  What would U like to see change on the Black Circuit?
SM24:  Man...I knew you were gonna ask that...lol.  I really would like to see the leadership of the Black Circuit focus more on improving the product rather than personal financial gain (did I say that out loud...lol).  What I mean is that there is no reason why we as Black People cannot find a way to do things such as build our own parks and host major tournaments that are inclusive of everyone...not just Black People. 

TDMB:  Which do U prefer playing on the black circuit or playing on the white circuit?
SM24:  Ball is ball to me.  My preference is to play where I can get the best competition and get the most for the amount of money spent.  Sometimes you can only accomplish that by playing on something other than the Black Circuit.  Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love playing on the Black Circuit and it's fun to win "the neighborhood championship" (lol) but it's better when Black teams win tournaments that include whites, hispanics, etc.

The reason I say that is that in this world, you are only respected when you prove you can compete with everybody...not just your own.  Many Whites and Hispanics do not respect the ball we play on the Black Circuit.  It's up to us to change that and prove them wrong!  The only way we can do that is to compete with and against them.   

TDMB: What do U think of the shaved bats?
SM24:  I think it's a shame that the game has become more about the equipment than the talent level.  There really is no way to control it other than to BRING BACK THE ULTRA 2...LOL.  PUT EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE AND THEN SEE WHO WINS!

TDMB:  I like others enjoy your daily reading where do they come from?  or are U just that deep?
SM24:  Well Frank...I actually am a poet at heart...but I can't get paid for that...lol.  I don't consider myself deep...I just have learned a contructive way of dealing with everyday trials and tribulations so I share that with the board because I know I can't be the only one who has or is going through something.  My objective is to become a better person by sharing and giving to others because that's not easy for me.   

TDMB:  Do U have any other hobbies away from softball?
SM24: Well as you know I've been a DJ for many years.  I also write poetry and read philosophy and history. 

 

TDMB:  How did U get started with Dee Jaying?
SM24:  I've always loved music and I was always the kid playing the music at the family gatherings (lol).  It started as a way to turn a hobby into a money making venture...lol.  I started hanging out at the clubs where a couple of DJ friends of mine worked and the rest is history.

TDMB:  Do U do private parties or play at any clubs 
SM24: I actually do both.  As far as clubs, I've worked at Grammy's, The Wunder Bar, Maxwells, Nite Mood and Desiree Showtime to name a few.  I'm not working at clubs right now because I enjoy softball more...lol. 

TDMB:  What do U think about our Circuit parties
SM24:  I wish I had started attending sooner...lmao.  But I have learned that I need to stay away from you and your camera..hahahaha.

 

TDMB:  Do U have any shout outs?
SM24:  Of course...I would like to shout out to all the members of the TDMB.  Special shouts to the South Park Crew (you know who you are...lol), The SM24 Sports Softball Club Members, The Swingstarr Co-ed team members, My sistas on Team Kemistry, My sistas on the Lady Top Dog...especially those of you in the SM24 Top 10, My boys from the PVU Panther Family...Shakenbake, Roy Hobbs, Caleb, Pookie Ray...Reggie Hodge...Fathead...UHall...Wesley Blackshire (and any body else that I forgot lol).  A very SPECIAL SHOUT TO MY FALLEN BROTHERS WAYNE CORMIER (PANTHER FAMILY 4 LIFE) AND GREG FERGUSON.  

TDMB:  Anything that U would like to add?
SM24:  I just want to say thanks to the TDMB for allowing me to express myself.  Big ups to you all...PEACE !!!

TDMB:  Thank U Barfield for your time
SM24: You're very welcome.  Take care.